Capitol Watch: The Attack on Home Rule

On Tuesday, the Florida Legislature's 2026 session opened in Tallahassee. The 60-day session is scheduled to conclude on Friday, March 13. The theme for this year's session seems to be the attack on home rule. Governor Ron DeSantis has already announced a special session for April to focus on redistricting, which will look to expand Republican control in the state.

Are we going to fix SB 180, or not?

As I wrote in December, Senator Nick DiCeglie, a Republican whose district covers about half of Pinellas County, filed SB 840: Land Use Regulations for Local Governments Affected by Natural Disasters. This is intended to remedy the portion of last year’s SB 180 that deliberately fails to distinguish between new development and reconstruction after a storm, in terms of limiting local government’s ability to implement land use rules that are more “burdensome or restrictive. "

It is what has limited our current Manatee County Commission from reversing the previous board’s gutting of wetland protections, its giveaway on impact fees, and correcting the policy that allows for the publicly funded connection of water and sewer for planned communities east of the urban services boundary. Despite having assured residents they were on the same page, neither local representative Bill Connerly nor Will Robinson filed a companion bill, making DiCeglie’s legislation less likely to pass during the brief, rapid-fire session.

Your legislators heard you, but they fear the developers who sign the big campaign checks more than they fear your vote. Senator Jim Boyd, who is scheduled to be the next Senate President, could use his influence to make sure DiCeglie’s bill gets through his chamber quickly, so that it can be sent to the House and begin the process of moving through that chamber. You can contact all three legislators and let them know you’ll be watching closely by emailing them at the addresses listed at the bottom of this article.

The Pro Water Pollution Bill

Water Quality and Wetlands Preemption: HB 479 (and its Senate companion, SB 718) is the very worst bill in this year’s legislative session. It would outright ban cities and counties from imposing “laws, regulations, rules, or policies” to protect wetlands and prevent water pollution. Filed by Pasco County Republican Randy Maggard, the bill would have cities and counties just defer to the Florida DEP. It is an absolutely horrid bill and simply cannot pass. Please let your legislators know how you feel about this bill. 

A painfully vague attack on Home Rule

HB 105 and its companion bill, SB 588, would prohibit local governments from taking any enforcement actions deemed “arbitrary or unreasonable.” This could be defined as anything that causes “unreasonable” delays in development. Violators could face up to $50,000 in damages, along with court costs and attorney fees. 

Who cares about the compatibility of a proposed development with its surrounding community?

HB 399 and its companion bill, SB 208, would prevent local governments from denying or delaying approval of a residential development on the grounds that it is incompatible with existing nearby development, provided certain requirements are met. It also provides that an application for an infill residential development must be administratively approved without a public hearing and treated as a conforming use if the proposed development meets certain standards. 

The state will decide what happens to that Confederate monument!

HB 455 and SB 496 would preempt local control over historic monuments and memorials, essentially preventing cities and counties from removing them without state approval. Any existing or future local ordinance, regulation, or rule to the contrary would be declared void with potential civil penalties of up to $1,000 against an elected or appointed local government official who "knowingly and willfully" violates these provisions. Individuals or organizations may file lawsuits against local governments or officials for violations, allowing recovery of attorney fees and damages of up to $100,000. In addition, the Department of State would be required to withhold certain funding from local governments deemed non-compliant.

You will learn to love the memory of Charlie Kirk, or else!

HB 113 and SB 1428 would require Florida public colleges and universities to rename specific campus roads after the late conservative Republican podcaster, Charlie Kirk. Institutions that fail to comply within 90 days of the bill becoming law would have state funding withheld.

Email Your Manatee County legislators:

Senator Jim Boyd: boyd.jim.web@flsenate.gov

Rep. Will Robinson: Will.Robinson@flhouse.gov

Rep. Bill Conerly: Bill.Conerly@flhouse.gov

Capitol Watch will be a regular feature each week in Wednesday's Midweek Update!